Military Naturalization Statistics

Since 2002, we have naturalized more than 139,000 members of the U.S. military, both at home and abroad. Naturalization ceremonies have taken place in more than 30 countries from Albania to the United Arab Emirates.[2] In the last five years (fiscal years 2016 – 2020), we have naturalized almost 30,000 service members. In FY 2020, we naturalized more than 4,500 service members, about the same number as the previous year. Authorization for the Military Accessions Vital to the National Interest (MAVNI) program (PDF) expired on Sept. 30, 2017, contributing to a decrease in military naturalizations. The MAVNI program, authorized by the Department of Defense in 2008, allowed certain individuals who were not U.S. citizens, nationals or lawful permanent residents to enlist if they had skills considered vital to the national interest.

Countries of Birth

Service members born in the Philippines, Mexico, China, South Korea and Jamaica—the top five countries of birth among those naturalized—comprised more than 40% of the naturalizations since FY 2016. The next five countries of birth—Nigeria, Nepal, India, Ghana and Kenya—comprised an additional 20% of military naturalizations from FY 2016 to FY 2020.

Top Five Countries of Birth (FY 2016 – FY 2020)

Age

Half of all service members were between 22 and 30 years old when they naturalized. The median age of all service members who naturalized between FY 2016 to FY 2020 was 26 years old. More than 20% were 21 and under when they naturalized. Almost 7% were older than 41 when they naturalized.

Age at Naturalization (FY 2016 – FY 2020)

Gender

Men comprised 78% of all service members naturalized between FY 2016 and FY 2020. The proportion of male and female service members naturalized remained consistent across years.

Gender at Naturalization (FY 2016 – FY 2020)

Branch of Service

Service members from the Army (including National Guard and Reserves) comprised about two-thirds (62%) of all military naturalizations from FY 2016 to FY 2020. Service members from the Coast Guard comprised less than 1% of military naturalizations from FY 2016 to FY 2020.[3]  

Branch of Military at Naturalization (FY 2016 – FY 2020)

Tables